Router table clamp system and router table including the clamp system

ABSTRACT

A router table clamp system for attaching a router to a router table, wherein the system includes a first plate that is fixed with respect to the router table, a second plate that is configured to cooperate with the first plate to enable the router to be removably attached to the router table, and a clamping mechanism configured and arranged to move the second plate with respect to the first plate between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein when the clamping mechanism is in the locked position, the router is securely attached to the router table. The clamping mechanism also includes a lever assembly configured and arranged to move the second plate in a locking direction and an unlocking direction, which directions are both generally coincident with a plane defined by the second plate, wherein the locking direction is opposite of the unlocking direction.

The present invention relates generally to a system for attaching apower tool to an associated table or stand, and more particularly to asystem for attaching a router to a router table.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of table-based power tools are known in the art. Such toolsmay be used, for example, to cut, shape or finish wood or othermaterials. One example of such a power tool is a router. One knownconfiguration includes a router table that has a top working surface anda lower, or bottom, surface upon which is mounted a portable electricrouter. A common way of attaching the router to the underside of thetable is to use a plurality of screws, bolts or other hardware parts.One of the drawbacks of such a mounting system is that it requires theuser to hold and position the router while simultaneously inserting andtightening the screws or bolts (or otherwise positioning the attachmenthardware parts) with a screwdriver, wrench or other tightening tool.Managing the holding/positioning process and the tightening processsimultaneously by a single user can be very difficult. Moreover, suchprocesses need to be performed each time the user removes the router, aswell as each time that the router is re-installed to the table or toanother machine or workbench.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the benefits of embodiments of the present clamp system is thatit provides a simple way for user to install a router (or other powertool) to a table or other device, and to easily remove the router (orother power tool) from the table or other device. Embodiments of thepresent clamp system enable a single user to perform the installationand/or removal of a router (power tool) without the need for a seconduser.

In particular, embodiments of the present router table clamp system canbe used for attaching a router to a router table. Certain embodiments ofthe system preferably include a first plate that is fixed with respectto the router table, a second plate that is configured to cooperate withthe first plate to enable the router to be removably attached to therouter table, and a clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism ispreferably configured and arranged to move the second plate with respectto the first plate between a locked position and an unlocked position.When the clamping mechanism is in the locked position, the router issecurely attached to the router table.

In certain embodiments, the clamping mechanism of the system includes alever assembly that is configured and arranged to move the second platein a locking direction and an unlocking direction. Preferably, thelocking and unlocking directions are both generally coincident with aplane defined by the second plate. In addition, the locking direction ispreferably opposite of the unlocking direction.

In some of the embodiments of the present clamp system, the first plateand the second plate are stacked one upon the other in a nestedformation. However, in other embodiments, the first and second platesare arranged adjacent to each other so that they are both containedwithin the same horizontal plane.

Although the examples provided below and the majority of the descriptionof the present clamp system relate to the system being used forattaching a router to the underside of a router table, it is alsocontemplated that the present system could also be used to attach othertools, such as power woodworking tools, to a table or workbench or othersurface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described herein withreference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a router table;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the router table of FIG. 1, shownwith a router attached thereto, and also shown attached to a workbench;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of several components of one embodiment ofthe present router table clamp system;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the router table clamp systemof FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of the components of the router tableclamp system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a plate of the FIG. 3 embodiment of the presentclamp system;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing how the plate of FIG. 6is attached to a router;

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the router table of FIGS. 1 and 2showing the router being attached thereto using the clamp system of theembodiment of FIGS. 3-7;

FIG. 9 is a bottom schematic perspective view (shown inverted) ofseveral components of another embodiment of the present router tableclamp system (shown without the router table, for clarity);

FIG. 10 is a bottom schematic perspective view (shown inverted) of therouter table clamp system of FIG. 9, shown with a router being clampedtherein (shown without the router table, for clarity);

FIG. 11 is a top schematic perspective view the router table clampsystem of FIG. 9, shown in a locked position (shown without the routertable, for clarity); and

FIG. 12 is a top schematic perspective view of the router table clampsystem of FIG. 9, shown in an unlocked position (shown without therouter table, for clarity).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to the figures, embodiments of the present invention will beshown and described. One example of a router table, designated as table5, is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A first embodiment of the present clampsystem for use with such a router table, designated as clamp system 10,is shown in FIGS. 3-8. A second embodiment of the present clamp systemfor use with the same table, designated as clamp system 100, is shown inFIGS. 9-12.

More specifically, router table 5 of FIG. 1 is one example of the typeof table that may be used with the present clamp system. Of course,other router tables, or other types of tables or workbenches associatedwith different tools, may also be used with the present clamp system.Router table 5 of this example includes a plurality of legs 6 thatsupport a horizontally extending tabletop member 7, which includes awork surface 9 defined as the upper surface of the tabletop member 7.Router table 5 also includes components typically associated with arouter table, such as a guide fence assembly 9.

Turning now to FIG. 2, router table 5 is shown with a router 15 attachedto the underside of tabletop member 7. In the FIG. 2 view, the routertable 5 is shown clamped to a workbench 12 through the use of aplurality of C-clamps 14. Other methods of securing the router table 5to a stable surface, such as workbench 12, are also contemplated, suchas by screwing the router table 5 directly into the workbench usingscrews inserted into mounting holes 16 (shown in FIG. 1) at the bases ofthe legs 6. Although the example router table 5 is a portable table, itis also contemplated that the present router clamp system, describedbelow, could also be used with a larger scale table, which would notneed to be mounted to a workbench.

Turning now to FIGS. 3-8, a first embodiment of the present table clampsystem is shown and will be described. FIG. 3 shows a perspective viewof clamp system 10 from an underside thereof, and FIG. 4 shows anenlarged view of the clamping mechanism of the present table clampsystem 10.

More specifically, this embodiment preferably includes two main plates—afirst plate 20 and a second plate 22, where the first plate 20 is shownin FIGS. 3 and 4 positioned below the second plate 22. The first plate20, which may also be referred to as a backing plate, is configured tobe fixed to the underside of the tabletop member 7 (FIG. 1) of therouter table. Thus, in operation, the table clamp system 10 of FIG. 3would be positioned in an inverted manner to the way it is shown in FIG.3 (i.e., when installed to the underside of the tabletop member, thefirst plate 20 would be located above the second plate 22).

In the preferred configuration of this embodiment, the first plate 20includes a plurality of ears 24 that extend from the side edges of thefirst plate 20, and each of the ears 24 includes at least one mountingaperture 26, which is configured to receive a fastener such as a screw(not shown) for attaching the first plate 20 to the bottom surface 30 ofthe tabletop member, such as shown in FIG. 8. As also shown in FIG. 8,the bottom surface 30 of the tabletop member may also include a recessedportion 32, which allows for more secure and accurate attachment of thefirst plate 20 to the underside 30 of the tabletop member. Of course, itis also contemplated that the recessed portion could be omitted, andthat the first plate could be attached to the table by other means thanthat shown and described.

The second plate 22, which may also be referred to as the mountingplate, is configured to be mounted to the router 15 via a plurality ofscrews 33 (or other fasteners) that pass through holes 34, such as shownin FIG. 7. In the preferred embodiment, the second plate 22 isconfigured to receive different types of routers from differentmanufacturers, and thus, as shown in FIG. 6, the second plate 22preferably includes a plurality of hole patterns, such as hole pattern34A, hole pattern 34B, hole pattern 34C and hole pattern 34D, where eachhole pattern includes a plurality of holes arranged to correspond to thehole configuration on the bottom of a particular router. Optionally, thesecond plate may also include one or more additional holes, such asaccess hole 36, which provides access to a router adjustment feature,such as an over table height adjustment feature found on certain modelsof routers.

The second plate 22 also includes a router aperture 46, as shown in FIG.6, which is configured and arranged for allowing a router bit of therouter 15 to extend therethrough. Similarly, the first plate 20 alsoincludes a corresponding router aperture 48 that serves the samepurpose.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, the second plate 22 of this embodimentincludes a leading edge 38, when considered with respect to the movementdirection represented by arrow A, which is the locking direction, asexplained more fully below, and a trailing edge 40. This embodiment ofthe second plate 22 also includes a pair of side edges, designated asfirst side edge 42 and second side edge 44, that extend between theleading edge 38 and the trailing edge 40.

The first plate 20 and the second plate 22 of this embodiment arepreferably made of metal, but other suitably rigid, strong materials mayalso be used.

The manner in which the first plate 20 interacts with the second plate22 in this embodiment will be described next. In general, the first andsecond plates (20 and 22) are stacked upon each other, such as shown inFIGS. 3-5. Moreover, this embodiment includes a clamping mechanism 50that is configured and arranged to move the second plate 22, withrespect to the first plate 20, between a locked position and an unlockedposition. When the clamping mechanism 50 is in the locked position, therouter 15 is securely attached to the bottom surface 30 (FIG. 8) of thetabletop member of the router table because the router 15 is securelyattached to the second plate 22 (via screws 33), the second plate 22 issecurely attached to the first plate 20 (via the clamping mechanism 50),and the first plate 20 is securely attached to the bottom surface 30 ofthe tabletop member (via additional screws passing through mountingapertures 26).

Basically, the first plate 20 remains stationary, as it is attached tothe bottom surface 30 of the tabletop member, and the second plate 22 ismoved in the direction of arrow A by the clamping mechanism 50 until itis wedged into a locked position with respect to the first plate 20.More specifically, the first and second plates (20 and 22) include atleast one set of corresponding tabs that nest together, such as the pairof leading edge tabs 52A, 52B on the first plate 20 and the pair ofleading edge tabs 54A, 54B on the second plate 22. The embodiment ofFIGS. 3-8 includes two sets of corresponding leading edge tabs (52A/54Aand 52B/54B), but it is contemplated that the table clamping system 10could operate with a single set of corresponding, nested tabs(preferably centered along the leading edges of the first and secondplates) or with three or more sets of corresponding, nested tabs.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-8, the tabs (52A, 52B, 54A, 54B) areangled with respect to the locking direction A. More specifically, ascan be seen in FIG. 6, the pair of leading edge tabs 54A, 54B extendfrom chamfered portions of the leading edge 38 of the second plate 22,whereby each of the leading edge tabs 54A, 54B extends sideways in anoblique manner with respect to the locking direction represented byarrow A. As can be seen in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the pair ofinterlocking tabs 52A, 52B of the first plate 22 are aligned with thepair of leading edge tabs 54A, 54B of the second plate 22. Although thetabs in this embodiment are preferably angled in the manner shown inFIGS. 3 and 6, it is also contemplated that they could be angleddifferently, or that they could be arranged to be perpendicular withrespect to locking direction A.

Optionally, the first plate 20 and the second plate 22 may each includea set of rims for maintaining the plates in proper alignment relativetoe ach other. For example, FIGS. 3 and 4 show plates 20 and 22 withsuch optional rims, where the first plate 20 includes a first set ofside rims 56 that extend along the side edges thereof, and the secondplate 22 includes a second set of side rims 58 that extend along theside edges thereof. The first set of side rims 56 and the second set ofside rims 58 cooperate to maintain the first plate 20 and the secondplate 22 in alignment when the second plate 22 is moved in the lockingand unlocking directions (i.e. in the arrow A direction and in thedirection opposite of arrow A, respectively). Of course, it iscontemplated that the side edges could be included on only the firstplate 20, or that both sets of side edges could be omitted, especiallyif the table bottom 30 includes a recessed portion 32, as shown in FIG.8, which recess would perform a similar alignment function.

Turning now to FIGS. 3-5, one example of the type of clamping mechanism50 that may be used in this embodiment will be described. Basically, theclamping mechanism 50 includes a lever assembly that is configured andarranged to move the second plate 22 in either the locking direction(arrow A) or an unlocking direction (opposite of arrow A), whichdirections are both generally coincident with a plane defined by thesecond plate 22. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the clamping mechanism 50 isoperatively attached to the router table at a location adjacent thetrailing edge 40 of the second plate 22.

The lever assembly of the clamping mechanism 50 may be an over-centertoggle clamp type of mechanism. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, thelever assembly of this embodiment may include a lever housing 60 that isfixed to bottom surface 30 of the router table 5. Preferably, the leverhousing 60 is unitarily formed with the first plate 20, and thus whenplate 20 is attached to the bottom of the rotor table, the lever housingalso becomes attached. However, it is contemplated that the leverhousing could be secured to the table with additional fasteners, such aswith screws extending through apertures in the base of the leverhousing. Additionally, it is also contemplated that the lever housing 60could be a separate component from the first plate 20, and therefore itwould need to be separately attached to the bottom of the router tableby any known method, such as with screws extending through apertures.

Referring to FIGS. 3-5 and 8, the lever assembly of this embodiment alsoincludes a lever member 62, a clamp member 70, and a pair of linkmembers 74A and 74B (where only link member 74A can be seen, in hiddenlines, in FIG. 8). More specifically, the lever member 62 is rotatablyconnected to the lever housing 60 via a first pivot pin 64. In thisembodiment, the lever member 62 is preferably a generally T-shapedmember, as can be seen in FIG. 5 (in which the arm portion 66 of the Tis preferably skewed with respect to the post portion 68 of the T). Theclamp member 70, which in this embodiment may be a generally L-shapedmember (as shown in FIG. 5, which shows base portion 70A and leg portion70B), is rotatably connected to the lever housing 60 via a second pivotpin 76. Finally, the pair of link members (74A and 74B), which are eachpreferably formed of a generally linear member, each extend between alever end 78 and a clamp end 80. Additionally, the lever end 78 of eachlink member is rotatably connected to the lever member 62 via a leverpin 82 and the clamp end 80 of each link member is rotatably connectedto the clamp member 70 via a link pin 84.

The locking operation of the clamping mechanism 50 will be describednext. FIG. 5 shows the clamping mechanism 50 in the unlocked position,whereby the lever member 62 is directed away from the plates 20 and 22.In order to move the clamping mechanism 50 into the locked position, thelever member 62 is moved in a direction coincident with arrow B. In thisexample, the lever member 62 is moved in direction B until the distalend of the lever member 62 is positioned above the link members 74A and74B. Moving the lever member 62 in this manner causes link members 74Aand 74B to move link pin 84 to move downward and generally toward theleft, when considered with respect to the FIG. 5 view. Such movement ofthe link pin 84 causes the clamp member 70 to rotate in acounter-clockwise direction about the second pivot pin 76 (which ismounted to lever housing 60), thereby causing the leg portion 70B of theclamp member 70 to push a trailing edge tab 90 that projects from, andis integrally formed with, the second plate 22. In the FIG. 5 view, thetrailing edge tab 90 extends generally upwardly from the second plate22, but when the clamp system 10 is installed on the bottom 30 of thetabletop member, as in FIG. 8, the trailing edge tab 90 will extendgenerally downwardly from the trailing edge 40 (FIG. 6) of the secondplate 22.

When the trailing edge tab 90 of second plate 22 is pressed in directionA, the second plate 22 slides in direction A. However, since the firstplate 20 is attached to the bottom 30 of the tabletop member, the firstplate 20 remains stationary (i.e., the second plate 22 slides indirection A with respect to the first plate 20). The sliding of thesecond plate 22 continues until the pair of interlocking tabs 52A and52B of the first plate 22 wedge against the corresponding pair ofleading edge tabs 54A and 54B of the second plate. Thus, the combinationof the wedge action between tabs 52A/52B and tabs 54A/54B and the forceapplied by the clamping mechanism 50 serves to securely lock the secondplate 22 (with router 15 attached thereto) in position on the undersideof the associated table 5 or workbench.

Further, in this embodiment, the clamping mechanism 50 also preferablyincludes a retaining spring 86, or other mechanism, to securely retainthe lever member 62 in the locked position. In the preferred embodiment,the retaining spring 86 also includes an aperture 88. The aperture 88 isconfigured to engage an extension of the lever pin 82 when the levermember 62 is in the locked position in order to reduce the likelihoodthat the lever member will unintentionally move into an unlockedposition. Instead of recess 88, it is also contemplated that a recess inretaining spring 86 may be utilized to receive the lever pin extension.Of course, other alternative types of retaining mechanisms are alsocontemplated as being within the scope of the invention.

Turning now to FIG. 8, the method of installing the router 15 (which isalready attached to second plate 22) to the bottom surface 30 of thetabletop member will be described. As can be seen in FIG. 8, the firstplate 20 is already attached to the bottom surface 30 of the tabletopmember. First, the assembly of the router 15 and the second plate 22 ismoved upwardly, in the direction of arrow C, until the second plate 22is in contact with the first plate 20. next, the lever member 62, whichacts as a handle for the clamping mechanism 50, is rotated in thedirection or arrow D until the clamping mechanism 50 is in its lockedposition (such as with the extension lever pin 82 seated within theaperture 88 of the retaining spring 86). Movement of the lever member 62in this manner causes the second plate 22 (with router 15 attachedthereto) to move in the direction of arrow E, which is referred to asthe locking direction. The second plate 22 moves in direction E untilleading edge tabs 54A and 54B of the second plate 22 interlock with thecorresponding tabs (52A and 52B, respectively) of the first plate 20, atwhich point the clamping mechanism 50 will be in its locked position.Thus, in such a position, the router is securely attached to the routertable.

Removal of the router from the table is also a simple process. The usersimply reverses the steps outlined above. Specifically, the clampingmechanism 50 is unlocked by moving lever member 62 in the directionopposite of arrow B while simultaneously pulling retainer spring 86slightly outwardly to allow for the lever pin 82 to become unseated fromthe aperture 88 in the retainer spring. Such unlocking of the levermechanism 50 causes the second plate 22 (with router 15 attachedthereto) to move in the direction opposite of arrow E (i.e., theunlocking direction), whereby the router 15 (with second plate 22attached thereto) can be moved away from the table in the directionopposite of arrow C.

Turning now to FIGS. 9-12, a second embodiment will be described, whichsecond embodiment will be designated as clamp system 100. The basicprincipals of this embodiment are similar to those of the firstembodiment, such as enabling the user to easily attach and remove arouter (or other tool) from a table by having two plates that sliderelative to each other, where one plate is fixed to a bottom surface ofthe table. However, the configuration of the plates is somewhatdifferent between embodiments.

In the second embodiment, there is a first plate 120 that is fixed withrespect to the table, and a second plate 122 that is configured tocooperate with the first plate 120 to enable the router to be removablyattached to the router table. The first plate 120 can be attached to thetable bottom (such as bottom 30 of FIG. 8, which shows the firstembodiment) by any desired means, such as by passing a plurality ofscrews (not shown) through a plurality of mounting apertures 126.Preferably, there are at least two mounting apertures 126, and they areeach in the form of an elongated slot to allow for some positionaladjustment.

The second plate 122 is configured to be able to move toward the base 18of the router 15, thereby enabling the slidable second plate 122 tocooperate with the fixed first plate 120 to clamp the router 15therebetween, which allows the router to be removably attached to thetable.

In order to secure the router base 18 to the plates 120 and 122 in amore stable manner, the plates are preferably beveled on the edges thatcontact the router base 18. Specifically, as can be seen in FIG. 9, thefirst plate 120 preferably includes a first beveled edge portion 130,which is preferably arc-shaped in plan view, and the second plate 122also preferably includes a second beveled edge portion 132, which isalso preferably arc-shaped in plan view. Even more specifically, sincethe router base 18 will most likely be circular, the first and secondbeveled edge portions (130 and 132) are each preferably semi-circleshaped in plan view. Of course, if the router base is of a differentshape, the edge portions will be of a shape that corresponds to theshape of the router base. Thus, in the preferred form of thisembodiment, the first beveled edge portion 130 and the second bevelededge portion 132 are configured and arranged to cooperate with eachother to attach the router 15 to the router table by sandwiching therouter between the first and second beveled edge portions.

In this embodiment, the first and second plates (120 and 122) may beformed of a compressible material, such as natural or synthetic rubber.Alternatively, the plates 120 and 122 may be formed of any desiredmaterial, such as metal, with only the first and second beveled edgeportions (130 and 132) being formed of a compressible material such asnatural or synthetic rubber.

The second embodiment of FIGS. 9-12 includes a clamping mechanism 140,which is configured and arranged to move the second plate 122 withrespect to the first plate 120 between a locked position, such as shownin FIG. 11, and an unlocked position, such as shown in FIG. 10. When theclamping mechanism 140 is in the locked position, the router 15 issecurely attached to the router table.

The clamping mechanism may be any desired type of mechanism that enablesthe second plate 122 to move the required distance in an essentiallyhorizontal plane, and then locks the second plate 122 in that position.For example, the clamping mechanism may be an over-center toggle clamp.

The first embodiment of FIGS. 1-8 includes one example of a clampingmechanism 50 that could also be used in the second embodiment of FIGS.9-12. Alternatively, the clamping mechanism 140 shown in FIGS. 9-12could also be used. Details of the clamping mechanism 140 will bedescribed next.

In general, the clamping mechanism 140 of this embodiment includes alever assembly that is configured and arranged to move the second plate122 in a locking direction (towards first plate 120) and an unlockingdirection (away from first plate 120), which directions are bothgenerally coincident with a plane defined by the second plate 122. FIGS.9, 10 and 12 show the clamping mechanism 140 in the unlocked position,while FIG. 11 shows the clamping mechanism 140 in the locked position.

More specifically, as can be seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, the clampingmechanism includes a lever housing 144 that is fixed to the router table(such as by screws that extend through slots 145), and a lever member146 that is rotatably connected to the lever housing 144 via a firstpivot pin 148. The lever member 146 extends below the pivot point of thefirst pivot pin 148 and includes an aperture for rotatably receiving alever pin 150 that connects a pair of first link members 152A/152B tothe lever member 146. The opposite ends of the first link members152A/152B are connected to one end of a clamp member 154 via a firstlink pin 156. The clamp member 154 is also rotatably connected to a pairof second link members 160A/160B via a second link pin 162 that extendsthrough an aperture in the clamp member 154. The opposite ends of thesecond link members 160A/160B pivot about a pivot pin 162 that ispivotally connected to the lever housing 144. The opposite end of theclamp member 154 is rotatably connected to the second plate 122 via apivot pin 166.

Accordingly, in operation, the clamping mechanism 140 is in the unlockedposition, such as shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 12, when the lever member 146is approximately perpendicular to the plane of the first and secondplates 120, 122. In contrast, when the lever member 146 is moved to theposition shown in FIG. 11, the configuration of the first and secondlink members (152A/B and 160A/B) causes the second plate 122 to slidetoward the router base 18, to thereby lock the base in place. As can beseen in FIGS. 9-12, the second plate 122 can be maintained in slidingcontact with the router table bottom by a set of rails 170 and 172.Alternatively, any other desired means of allowing sliding contactbetween the second plate 120 and the router table bottom may beemployed.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been shown anddescribed, it should be understood that other modifications,substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skillin the art. Such modifications, substitutions and alternatives can bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, whichshould be determined from the appended claims.

Various features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A router table clamp system for attaching arouter, having base, to a router table, including an underside, whereinthe system comprises: a first plate that is fixed with respect to therouter table; a second plate that is configured to cooperate with saidfirst plate to enable the router to be removably attached to the routertable; a clamping mechanism configured and arranged to move said secondplate with respect to said first plate between a locked position and anunlocked position, wherein when said clamping mechanism is in saidlocked position, the router is securely attached to the router table,wherein said clamping mechanism includes a lever assembly configured andarranged to move said second plate in a locking direction and anunlocking direction, which directions are both generally coincident witha plane defined by said second plate, and further wherein said lockingdirection is opposite of said unlocking direction, wherein said secondplate includes an inclined portion, said inclined portion configured toengage said first plate during movement of said second plate in saidlocking direction, said inclined portion deviating from horizontal andvertical with respect to said plane defined by said second plate.
 2. Therouter table clamp system according to claim 1, wherein: said secondplate includes a leading edge, when considered with respect to saidlocking direction, a trailing edge, when considered with respect to saidlocking direction, and first and second side edges extending betweensaid leading and trailing edges, wherein said leading edge includes saidinclined portion; and said clamping mechanism is operatively attached tothe router table at a location adjacent said trailing edge of saidsecond plate.
 3. The router table clamp system according to claim 1,wherein said lever assembly is fixed to the underside of the routertable and comprises an over-center toggle clamp, wherein said leverassembly includes a lever member rotatably adjustable to move saidsecond plate in said locking direction and said unlocking direction saidlever member extending from the underside of the router table in one ofsaid locked position and said unlocked position.
 4. The router tableclamp assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a retainerspring for maintaining said lever assembly in the locked position. 5.The router table clamp assembly according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a plurality of ears that extend from side edges of saidfirst plate; and at least one mounting aperture in each of said ears,whereby said ears are configured and arranged to enable said first plateto be attached to a bottom surface of the underside of the router table.6. The router table clamp system according to claim 1, wherein saidfirst and second plates each include a router aperture therein, whereinsaid router apertures are configured and arranged for allowing a routerbit of the router to extend therethrough.
 7. A router table clamp systemfor attaching a router to a router table, wherein the system comprises:a first plate that is fixed with respect to the router table; a secondplate that is configured to cooperate with said first plate to enablethe router to be removably attached to the router table; a clampingmechanism configured and arranged to move said second plate with respectto said first plate between a locked position and an unlocked position,wherein when said clamping mechanism is in said locked position, therouter is securely attached to the router table, wherein said clampingmechanism includes a lever assembly configured and arranged to move saidsecond plate in a locking direction and an unlocking direction, whichdirections are both generally coincident with a plane defined by saidsecond plate, and further wherein said locking direction is opposite ofsaid unlocking direction; a lever housing that is fixed to the routertable; a lever member that is rotatably connected to the lever housingvia a first pivot pin; a clamp member that is rotatably connected tosaid lever housing via a second pivot pin; and a pair of link memberseach extending between a lever end and a clamp end, wherein said leverends of said link members are rotatably connected to said lever membervia a lever pin and said clamp ends of said link members are rotatablyconnected to said clamp member via a link pin.
 8. The router table clampsystem according to claim 7, wherein: said lever member is a generallyT-shaped member; said link members are each a generally linear member;and said clamp member is a generally L-shaped member.
 9. The routertable clamp assembly according to claim 7, further comprising: aretainer spring positioned adjacent said lever assembly, wherein saidretainer spring includes an aperture configured and arranged toreceiving said lever pin therein to maintain said lever assembly in thelocked position.
 10. A router table clamp system for attaching a routerto a router table, wherein the system comprises: a first plate that isfixed with respect to the router table; a second plate that isconfigured to cooperate with said first plate to enable the router to beremovably attached to the router table; a clamping mechanism configuredand arranged to move said second plate with respect to said first platebetween a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein when saidclamping mechanism is in said locked position, the router is securelyattached to the router table, wherein said clamping mechanism includes alever assembly configured and arranged to move said second plate in alocking direction and an unlocking direction which directions are bothgenerally coincident with a plane defined by said second plate, andfurther wherein said locking direction is opposite of said unlockingdirection, said second plate includes a leading edge, when consideredwith respect to said locking direction, a trailing edge, when consideredwith respect to said locking direction, and first and second side edgesextending between said leading and trailing edges; said second plateincludes a trailing edge tab that extends generally downwardly from saidtrailing edge; said second plate includes at least one leading edge tabthat extends generally downwardly from said leading edge; and said firstplate includes an interlocking tab that is positioned in a location thatcorresponds to said at least one leading edge tab of said second plate.11. The router table clamp system according to claim 10, wherein: a pairof said leading edge tabs are included on said second plate; and a pairof said interlocking tabs are included on said first plate.
 12. Therouter table clamp assembly according to claim 11, wherein: said pair ofleading edge tabs extend from chamfered portions of said leading edge ofsaid second plate, whereby each of said leading edge tabs of said pairof leading edge tabs extend sideways in an oblique manner with respectto said locking and unlocking directions; and said pair of interlockingtabs of said first plate are aligned with said pair of leading edgetabs.
 13. The router table clamp assembly according to claim 10, furthercomprising; a first set of side rims extending along said first andsecond side edges of said first plate; and a second set of side rimsextending along side edges of said second plate, wherein said first setof side rims and said second set of side rims cooperate to maintain saidfirst and second plates in alignment when said second plate is moved insaid locking and unlocking directions.
 14. A router table assemblycomprising: a router table; a router; a router table clamp system forattaching said router to said router table in an operative position,wherein said router table system includes: a first plate that isstationarily fixed to said router table; a second plate that isconfigured to cooperate with said first plate to enable said router tobe removably attached to said router table; a clamping mechanismconfigured and arranged to move said second plate with respect to saidstationarily fixed first plate between a locked position and an unlockedposition, wherein when said clamping mechanism is in said lockedposition, said router is securely attached to said router table, whereinsaid clamping mechanism includes a lever assembly configured andarranged to move said second plate in a locking direction and anunlocking direction with respect to said stationarily fixed first plate,which directions are both generally coincident with a plane defined bysaid second plate, and further wherein said locking direction isopposite of said unlocking direction, said second plate includes aninclined leading edge when considered with respect to said lockingdirection, a trailing edge, when considered with respect to said lockingdirection, and first and second side edges extending between saidleading and trailing edges; said clamping mechanism is operativelyattached to an underside of said router table at a location adjacentsaid trailing edge of said second plate; and said lever assemblycomprises an over-center toggle clamp.
 15. A table clamp system forattaching a power tool to a table, wherein the system comprises: a firstplate that is stationarily fixed with respect to the table, said firstplate including a first inclined edge; a second plate including a secondinclined edge that is configured to cooperate with said first inclinededge of said first plate to enable the power tool to be removablyattached to the table; a clamping mechanism configured and arranged tomove said second plate with respect to said stationarily fixed firstplate between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein whensaid clamping mechanism is in said locked position, the power tool issecurely attached to the table, wherein said clamping mechanism includesa lever assembly having a lever arm rotatably adjustable and configuredand arranged to move said second plate in a locking direction and anunlocking direction, which directions are both generally coincident witha plane defined by said second plate, and further wherein said lockingdirection is opposite of said unlocking direction, wherein said secondinclined edge moves towards said first inclined edge in the lockingdirection and said second inclined edge moves away from said firstinclined edge in the unlocking direction.